Effectiveness of a physiotherapy program in the management of musculoskeletal disorders in hairdressers

Background. Hairdressers are considered a high risk category to develop musculoskeletal disorders. Some studies suggest that these musculoskeletal disorders are mainly located in the upper limbs, the lumbar and cervical spine. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy exercise program in the prevention and management of musculoskeletal disorders in hairdressers. Study design. A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial was utilized. Methods. Twenty-eight hairdressers working in nine shops were randomly divided into two groups, with each shop as a unit of randomization. All the hairdressers in both groups received an ergonomic brochure; the exercise program was conducted by a physical therapist. Data were collected at baseline and at a six weeks follow-up. The primary and secondary outcome measure recorded was the level of disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the pain using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results. The comparison between the two groups (Experimental vs Control) at baseline and at follow-up report no significant differences regarding RMDQ; we found a more positive response in the control group in ODI evaluation, while the 42.86% of patients treated reported an improvement in the VAS for lumbar pain and the 28,58% of them reported an improvement in the VAS for neck pain. Conclusions. This study seems to suggest that exercise program, conducted in the occupational setting by a physiotherapist, can be useful in the prevention and management in reducing LBP among hairdressers.